Singapore 60s - JAMES CHOA with The Gaylads

Yes, GayLads but they are far from being 'gay' because the word simply means 'happy' in the good old days. And happy were the folks who watched them for the first when they participated in the Singapore Blue Diamonds Competition in the early 60s. They clinched the title with The Antarctics acquiring second place.

Andy Lim interviewed JAMES CHOA (image: front) recently when he related his musical experience and career as a member of the GayLads and The Flamingos Combo.

"I started singing at the age of 17 in 1959 as a singing group called, The Gaylads with classmates, Philip Goi, Charles Koh and Razak Rahman (image: from left). We won a few talentime contests including the title of "The Blue Diamonds of Singapore" when both The Blue Diamonds and Anneke Gronloh were in Singapore. They were part of the panel of judges for the competition.

After winning the title we were featured in the first few RTS (Radio, TV, Singapore) shows called POP INN and DENDANG RIA. We sung for the very first LIVE show in Singapore, produced by well-known ballet dancer, Mr Vernon Martinus.

In the mid-60s the group enlarged from a singing group to a combo band and included in the group was Jimmy Chan, pianist (currently at Marina Mandarin Hotel), Audie Yusoff and Sidek (took turns to play lead guitar), Tommy Tan was at the drums and Robert Song, percussionist/singer. The combo carried on till 1970 but was disbanded because Charles Koh went into the medical profession and became a successful gynaecologist in the U.S.

I became a teacher and subsequently a sales person at an MNC. Since my first love is music, I learnt to play the keyboard and joined another group called, "The Mysterians" but we played only for private functions and at the camps at Sembawang.

As the years passed, I played and sang at the restaurant called, "House Of Peranakan" at the former Hotel Negara when it was first opened in 1998. I am still performing there now but the hotel has a new management and it is called The Claymore. I used to play every night but during the latter part of 2006 I performed only thrice a week.

Jimmy is now a full time pianist at Marina Mandarin. Philip, Razak, Sidek and Tommy as far as I know, are still actively involved in their own business or working with some companies. Audie Yusoff has passed on."

And what is one wish that James has today? "To continue playing on the keyboard and sing. Do come to see me at The Claymore Hotel and enjoy peranakan* food too. Great combination!"

For your information James plays, standards, jazz, country, rock and roll, especially hits from the 50s and 60s. For some musical memories check him out!

Off the cuff: After winning the Singapore Blue Diamonds contest, James Choa and the rest of The Gaylads (popular 60s group with The Flamingos) were given a singing contract and arrived in style at the Merlin Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, to be resident vocal group at the Harlequin Room with a full band to accompany them.

They were driven all the way, by car from Singapore to KualaLumpur, Malaya, by Tan Swee Leong at the helm of his Ford Anglia. Mr Tan, a Rediffusion Cable radio celebrity himself, was also the MC for their shows and James remembered they had a fascinating 3 weeks at the hotel.

Since it was the 'they had time to see the sights in KL during the day and had comfortable accommodation at the hotel itself. Besides a full allowance, The Gaylads were also provided with whatever creature comfort they needed during their stint at the Merlin.

*Peranakan food is Chinese/Malay cuisine which originated from Malaka (Malaysia) and Indonesia.

SLIP NOTE: (4 years have passed.)

"I met James again the few years before he passed away.  It was a long absence. He was living up North and I had to drive quite a distance to meet him.  As usual James was warm and kind, always insisting that I go into his room where he would play with his new Yamaha keyboard which he had bought not too long ago. He had his music books ready, his song sheets and the new shiny microphone on a stand close to his keyboard.

He made sure I knew my chords before we started on a song and when everything was ready and he was satisfied he would ask me to sing my favourites.  He would always provide an appropriate introduction especially if he knew the song. The standard pieces were never a problem since James played nearly every night at lounges, nightclubs and stages all over Singapore when he was active with the Flamingos and his own group The Gaylads from the 50's to the 80's or 90's.

At his home, I would sing my usual songs and James never tried to check me or advise me in any way, except only when I asked him.  So it was like, "Yes, that's a great song, so try to give it more depth by putting in more feel to this part..."  Or, "Why don't you try a higher key?" Otherwise we would just relax and try out as many songs as we could.

He looked relaxed with his new keyboard but I knew he was suffering within, what with his ailment and his inability to move about too much.  Deep down was a man so engrossed in his love for the music that it must have helped him along day by day.  James suffered much when he was still alive but he never showed signs of despair or frustration.  He was always happy, positive and ever ready to play for his next gig or private party.

James had to travel a long way to the place he played which was at Orchard Road. He also had to pay a lot of money for his taxi fares.  But the journeys and time he took was worthwhile since it distracted him from his own ailment. I have always thought that the amount he received as payment was far from what he should be getting. From my observation (I may be wrong), it only covered his cab fare with a few dollars left for him. And his fare from the North to Orchard Road was exorbitant.

When he called me on the phone it was always with his peranakan greeting.  It would always be, *"Apa macam baba? Bila lu mau datang sini? Come over now."

There were many times when I could not oblige him because I was busy with home and the grandchildren but there were occasions when I drove to his work place to see him play but honestly, it was few and far between. I should have visited him more often.

On the day he passed away, he was going to play at a party somewhere and I remembered he told me about it. But he never made it. The party he was going to was a bigger one with the Lord to care and look after. Rest in peace James; we love you very much when you were around and love you just as much now you're not."

*How are you brother. When are you coming here? (Translated from Malay.)

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